Excellent points Tom. A blink of an eye would be impossible, one should think. Imagine if Hawaii had only kept continuity with Gov. Linda Lingle's renewable energy vision, way back when you and I were in our 30s.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/02/0...ck-burner/
"The LNG pathway here has shifted several times over the years, as a new governor came into power — from Linda Lingle, to Neal Abercrombie, then David Ige and now Josh Green.
Two decades ago, Lingle first championed the move away from fossil fuels and opposed the use of LNG for power generation."
Regarding your lamentation that the impediments to geothermal adoption are not science based:
There are some who sense that because Hawaiians are the primary stakeholders in this new geothermal energy initiative, perhaps we can overcome some of the obstacles that have retarded development in the past. Let's hope.
Here is a statement from Hawaiian Electric (bias guaranteed), which affirms that, from their perspective, the back and forth deviation [from Lingle's and Ige's vision] has delayed our transition to renewable and carbon free energy. Governor Green is taking us where Governors Lingle & Ige were adamant that we should not go. Hawaiian Electric maintains that if we pursue this LNG "choice" that it, "must be locked in".
https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/stateme...uels-study
Statement on State Energy Office Alternative Fuels Study
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/02/0...ck-burner/
"The LNG pathway here has shifted several times over the years, as a new governor came into power — from Linda Lingle, to Neal Abercrombie, then David Ige and now Josh Green.
Two decades ago, Lingle first championed the move away from fossil fuels and opposed the use of LNG for power generation."
Regarding your lamentation that the impediments to geothermal adoption are not science based:
There are some who sense that because Hawaiians are the primary stakeholders in this new geothermal energy initiative, perhaps we can overcome some of the obstacles that have retarded development in the past. Let's hope.
Here is a statement from Hawaiian Electric (bias guaranteed), which affirms that, from their perspective, the back and forth deviation [from Lingle's and Ige's vision] has delayed our transition to renewable and carbon free energy. Governor Green is taking us where Governors Lingle & Ige were adamant that we should not go. Hawaiian Electric maintains that if we pursue this LNG "choice" that it, "must be locked in".
https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/stateme...uels-study
Statement on State Energy Office Alternative Fuels Study
Release Date: 1/28/2025
HONOLULU, Jan. 28, 2025 – Hawaiian Electric appreciates the analysis conducted by the State Energy Office, which builds on a foundation of previous work, including the company’s own 2023 decarbonization scenarios study, the 2023 Integrated Grid Plan and various assessments of LNG, including those commissioned by Hawaiian Electric years ago.
No one is satisfied with the pace of the transition from fossil fuels to renewables and we appreciate this report acknowledges that everyone – government, regulators, interest groups and utilities – is responsible for where we are today. With technology and federal policy changing almost daily, we remain committed to a renewable energy future and support a comprehensive look at all options that would reduce emissions, enhance resilience and make electricity more affordable.
The Alternative Fuel, Repowering and Energy Transition Study notes that the suitability of LNG for Hawaii was first studied over a decade ago. Hawaiian Electric spent four years and millions of dollars pursuing an LNG transition that was abruptly halted by a shift in state policy.
This stop-and-start public policy loop, rather than inaction by the utility, has contributed greatly to the composition of Hawaii power plants today. Similarly, shifting regulatory priorities have driven decisions that delayed the procurement of new firm and renewable generation resources over the past 15 years. Specifically:
- Gov. Linda Lingle (2002-2010) opposed the use of LNG for power generation.
- Gov. Neil Abercrombie (2010-2014) made the use of LNG a policy imperative and directed Hawaiian Electric to “move forward with plans to include natural gas in Hawaii’s energy portfolio.”
- Gov. David Ige (2014-2022) blocked the use of LNG, saying: “Any time and money spent on LNG is time and money not spent on renewable energy.”
With this report, the state returns to seeing LNG as a key component of its energy transition strategy. If that choice is pursued, it must be “locked in,” accompanied by durable policy decisions that ensure consistency and clarity, especially for the investors who will be asked to provide billions of dollars of capital to refurbish and replace infrastructure.
A critical element is engagement with the many people and organizations with a stake in, and an opinion on, Hawaii’s energy future. The fuels study acknowledges this was a “desktop feasibility analysis” that did not include outreach. We look forward to participating in this conversation and share Gov. Green’s stated desire to “accelerate Hawaii’s energy transition to renewable and carbon-free energy.” (emphasis mine)